Woonsocket City Council Approves Encampment Ban Amid Homelessness Measures
WOONSOCKET, R.I. (WJAR) — In a contentious vote, the Woonsocket City Council approved a city-wide ban on homeless encampments by a narrow margin of 4-3. This decision aligns Woonsocket with other cities in Rhode Island implementing similar measures to address homelessness. Concurrently, the council approved plans for a new 50-bed shelter to be located in a vacant building on Cumberland Street.
Under the new ordinance, individuals camping in unauthorized areas could face fines of up to $250. It also grants the city the authority to remove personal belongings left at these encampments. Councilman James Cournoyer, a pivotal advocate for the ban, emphasized that the intent is to maintain public cleanliness rather than criminalize the homeless.
However, critics from the community group "Rebuild Woonsocket" argue that such bans merely cover up deeper systemic issues and could displace unhoused individuals further away from essential services. The council’s measures reflect an ongoing struggle in balancing community aesthetics and addressing the needs of the vulnerable population. The establishment of the new shelter is seen as a step forward, but concerns about the effectiveness of encampment bans continue to spark debate.
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